Feature by Joanna Brichetto

Fifty years ago, the word “parenting” didn’t even exist. What did parents do before that? Muddle through, mostly—lucky if they didn’t inflict their own problems on their children. These five books indicate that “parenting” these days is not just a neologism; it’s an art form invested with life-enhancing values. Here’s a smattering from...

Starting out in style

Once you've got the gear, it's time to rear that beautiful baby of yours. Bright from the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind from Birth to Age 3 offers practical ideas for parents on how to relate to these little people and help them thrive. Author Dr. Jill Stamm, co-founder of New Directions Institute for Infant Brain Development, with co-author...

A book to guide you past the pitfalls of dating

Being happily single is wonderful. Many of my long-married women friends talk wistfully of their single days evenings spent with a stack of movies, a glass of wine and a huge bowl of popcorn no real cooking, no one to answer to, and no one to nix their choice of French with English subtitles in favor of something with more action. Even while searching for a soul mate, the ability to savor that...

Kissing the pain goodbye

In a postscript to Bad Childhood, Good Life, Dr. Laura Schlessinger reveals that she became choked up immediately after writing the book's last line, something that hadn't happened with any of her previous eight books. Why did the subject of unhappy childhoods have such an emotional impact on the author? I was deeply moved by the courage and character displayed by people who have suffered...

Raising Boys Without Men

The American family as we know it is changing. Nontraditional families now make up a large part of the population, with almost 10 million single mothers in the U.S. alone. This demographic will certainly be interested in Raising Boys Without Men, a fascinating study that makes a potentially controversial assertion: that households headed by a female, or females, may actually be better for boys...

Making a match

Dr. Neil Clark Warren, the founder of eHarmony.com, a popular dating website that's made many successful matches, has assembled his relationship advice in a new book. Like the eHarmony website, Falling in Love For All the Right Reasons: How to Find Your Soul Mate takes finding the right person very seriously, and sets marriage as the ultimate goal of any relationship. After more than 37 years...

ous advice for would-be lovers Why do fools fall in love? Perhaps only fools attempt to reason why. Luckily for lovers and would-be lovers, an engaging new crop of books dares to delve into the mystery. The Girl Code: The Secret Language of Single Women by Diane Farr is a delightful romp through the dating world. The author, former cohost of MTV's Loveline and a contributor of dating advice to...

Questions and answers Is It Just a Phase ?: How to Tell Common Childhood Phases from More Serious Problems by Dr. Susan Swedo and Dr. Henrietta L. Leonard is a handy volume filled with solutions to all sorts of childhood problems, including thumb-sucking, picky eating habits, shyness, hyperactivity, fears, and a myriad of school woes. You'll find suggestions for helping your child outgrow these...